TRIP DETAILS AND GEAR LIST:

Experience: The trip to El Pescador Lodge & Villas is the perfect gateway to saltwater fly fishing. The lodge and it’s staff is comforting and relaxing and the fishing staff is second to none for instruction and guiding. The weather in belize is tropical and variable depending on the season. Summers can be warm with rolling t-storms while Winter can be mid-70s and mostly clear. No matter that time you visit, there are always fish in this tropical “Isla Bonita” famously named by Madonna. Relax in the shade around the bar, take a dip in one of three pools, jump on a bike for a 15 minute ride to town, or grab a kayak for some private fishing adventures in the lagoon. It’s a fly fishing anglers paradise for new anglers and the experienced. All guest will find tranquility and their own paradise down in San Pedro.

Fishing: The fishing on the flats around Ambergris Caye are what you make of it. Beginner saltwater anglers will have access to excellent instruction on the water targeting bonefish to start the week and graduate to tarpon and permit. The lodge director holds daily evening casting lessons at the lodge to help you dial in ‘the punch’ and harness line speed with a ‘haul’. Saltwater fly fishing is an exciting and exhilarating sport and El Pescador Lodge is the easy button for anglers to enjoy a relaxing first class fishing experience with 4-star accommodations in the Caribbean. Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon are protected species in Belize and catch & release fishing is required. Other species like snapper and grouper can be kept and brought to the lodge for the table.

Gear: Prepare for it all. Brief storm cells can roll across the flats or clear days can lead to all day sunshine. LIght and loose gear are your best friend on the water. Sun coverage is key so bring plenty of sunscreen, a good hat and stay hydrated from sunup to sundown. Prepare to be on the water for 6-8 hours. The lodge will pack you your preferred lunch. We recommend the thai chicken/shrimp wrap and limeade! Your boat/gear bag should everything you need for the day. Below are some key items to consider:

• sunscreen

• water bottle (we prefer plastic free)

• wading booties/boots

• towel

• camera

• fly box with flies

• leader/tippet

• music

• sungloves/stripping guards

• socks for sun protection

• $$ for guide tip and park permit ($5 U.S. daily)

• Nippers and hemostats or pliers

• Bug spray, wipes, or lotion

Fishing Equipment:

• Bonefish: 8wt rod and reel with 200-250 yards of 20 lbs backing. Reel should be built for salt and have a sealed drag system that will keep the reel protected from the harsh salt environment. Floating saltwater fly line. 10lb - 12lb tapered leader and matching tippet.

• Permit: 9wt rod and reel with 200 - 250 yards of 20 lbs backing. Reel should be built for salt and have a sealed drag system that will keep the reel protected from the harsh salt environment. Floating or intermediate sink tip saltwater fly line. 16lb - 20lb tapered leader and matching tippet.

• Tarpon: Your 9wt permit rod will work for those baby tarpon in the mangroves but for the larger juveniles and adult tarpon a 10 or 11wt rod with 250 yards of 30 lbs backing is recommended. Reel should be built for salt and have a sealed drag system that will keep the reel protected from the harsh salt environment. Floating or intermediate sink tip saltwater fly line. Leader should be 40, 60, or 80 lb fluorocarbon straight tippet material.

  The lodge will have rods to help you fill in the gaps or try new techniques.

  Flies:

  Bonefish can be found on a variety of flats from 6" deep to 6 feet deep. 60% of the flies should have bead chain eyes, 30% should have lead eyes, and 10% should have plastic eyes or no eyes at all.

  Permit flies should be 80% lead eyes and 20% bead chain eyes. Should be a 50/50 mix of Shrimp and Crab patterns.

  • Christmas Island Special, Lead Eye - pink with tan wing, orange with tan wing - size 4,6,8

  • Squimp - size 6, 8 - tan

  • Crazy Charlie - Tan, White or Pink - size 6,8

  • Avalon - size 4

  • Grand Slam Crab - size 6

  • Gotcha - size 6

  • McCrab - size 6

  • Spawning Shrimp - size 6

  • Mantis Shrimp - size 6, 8

  • Merkin - size 4,6

  • Bauer Flats Crab - size 4 - tan

  Tarpon flies are generally not weighted at all.

  • Tarpon Toad - size 1/0 to 3/0 - White, Chartreuse, Black, Black/Red, Tan

  • Black Death - size 1/0 to 3/0

  • Tarpon Bunnies - size 1/0 to 3/0- White, Chartreuse, Black, Black/Red, Olive, Tan

  • Cockroach - size 1/0 to 3/0

  • Deceiver - size 1/0-3/0 - White, Chartreuse/White, Blue/White

  • Puglisi Diver - size 1/0, 2/0 - White, Black/Purple, Black/Red